Christian Gerald "Jerry" Edwards was born June 18, 1936 in Monticello, UT and died May 1, 2007 in Phoenix, AZ. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at the Monticello LDS Stake Center, with interment in the Monticello Cemetery.

Jerry, as a beautiful baby boy, was welcomed into the hearts and home of Hugh West "Duke" Edwards and Lena Geneva Christensen Edwards. Jerry was the fourth child out of five that Duke and Lena were blessed with.

Jerry enjoyed playing basketball for Monticello High School. It was on a return trip home from North/South Emery on Valentines Day in 1954 that Jerry received life threatening injuries, including a broken back, damage to his heart, many broken bones, cuts and bruises. It was a blessing that he survived this head-on collision, as four of the other passengers were killed and seven more were badly injured.

Jerry's recovery took more than a year. He worked very hard to recuperate physically and to stay up with his academic studies with his peers. Jerry was able to graduate with his classmates in 1954.

Jerry was called to serve his country in the Army. Basic Training was completed in Fort Ord CA. Jerry had a short leave and returned to Monticello. During this visit Jerry and Loyce Forrest became engaged.

After this leave, Jerry went to Atlanta, GA, where he received specialized training in Morse Code. Jimmie Monroe Forrest Sr. took his daughter Loyce to Georgia so Loyce and Jerry could marry.

The wedding was in Aiken, SC on February 20, 1960. Their marriage was later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 18, 1987 - Jerry's birthday.

Jerry was shipped out to Germany, where he was stationed. Loyce went back to Monticello, staying with her folks until her paper work was completed and she could go to Germany to be with her husband.

They rented a room from an older German couple. They enjoyed this couple a great deal, but the entire situation taught them to appreciate the daily luxuries we have at our fingertips in the United States.

Loyce returned to the states, where their son James Christian Edwards was born in Monticello, UT on February 10, 1962. Jerry returned stateside two weeks after the birth of his son, Chris.

Jerry was accepted into the Iron Workers Union as an apprentice with Zia Company in 1962, in Los Alamos, NM. CJ was welcomed into the Edwards happy home on February 13, 1965.

The Edwards family lived in what was previously known as the "Secret City", Los Alamos, for approximately 15 years.

Here Jerry became involved in calf roping and team roping with his BIG red roan - Sam. Many evenings were spent at the arena - learning, practicing and spending good times with old friends and family.

Throughout Jerry's life, animals always played an important part of his life, both in work and at play.

Once the family moved to Monticello, Jerry worked with the Iron Workers Union, commuting to and from whatever region he was working in, but always coming home to be with his family if the work load would allow, for the weekends. In 1985, Jerry took time off from work to build a log home in Monticello.

Life and families began to grow as well. Chris had a son, Matthew Christian Edwards; and CJ and Mark followed suite and did the same, bringing home a baby boy named Mason Lyle Gee. Then came the first granddaughter, Danaka JoAnn, born to Chris and his wife Kelly in 1990. Danaka was joined in 1992 by a brother, James Dilan "JD" Edwards. Last but not least, Aspen Taylor Gee brought joy into the lives of her Grandpa and Grandma Edwards.

Jerry will be so missed, a piece of each of our hearts are missing, but we have the knowledge and understanding that he is free from the pain and suffering which was a day in and day out ordeal throughout his life.

Card of thanks

We, the family of Jerry Edwards, would like to thank each of you who have sent cards, called with kind words and added us to your prayers.

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